[you] need your help

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Drift Motion @ Jun 11 2006, 11:24 PM) [snapback]269812[/snapback]</div>

i have always driven an Ford Truck until Friday. I thing the 06 Rav 4 is the best bet with all the new technology in this model year. The flipside is that it is a new model year. The 4 cylinder is 24mpg and the 6 is 23 mpg in CReports testing.
I have a friend with a RAV 4 and she loves it. Talk him into another Prius.
b

 

I have to ask........is that a picture of your Dad's Prius tricked out?

 

Don't they deliver furniture now? Even if they don't, you can rent a trailer or truck for the once or twice you need it. No need to overbuy a whole big car that will consume a lot more gas for the few times you need to haul.

My understanding is that the Rav4 doesn't have that much more cargo room than the Prius. But I could be wrong.

Why the Civic? Has he driven one? You can't beat the smooth Prius transmission.

If not a Prius hybrid....then how about a Camry? Of course the mileage won't be as good.

Why not another Prius? What else can he find with the mileage and reliablility? Get a different color if you think you'll get them mixed up. There are families here that bought a second Prius and are happy to have two.

If he absolutely insists on an SUV....fork out for a Highlander hybrid. The price of gas isn't going down.

 

How about a Matrix? Lots of hauling room, and it would be safer than an SUV....

 

You should have the furniture, and all of the "big" stuff you want to haul, delivered.

Let's suppose you buy a large item once a month, and it costs $100 to deliver. (Outrageous, I know). But let's suppose you buy a fuel-efficient car that saves you $150-200 a month in gas.

It's still a savings of $50 to $100 a month. And if some month you opt out of that plasma TV, new couch, etc, you have no delivery charges at all, and you come out $150-200 ahead.

Nate

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(naterprius @ Jun 12 2006, 07:51 AM) [snapback]269907[/snapback]</div>

Most fun, best car ever owned...and I have had them all...

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(naterprius @ Jun 12 2006, 10:51 AM) [snapback]269907[/snapback]</div>

I'd work a play off of these angles... Something amongst the lines of fuel savings against his other choices let's you eat out every week, or pocket the difference for a new plasma TV, whatver, work the cost...

If all else fails...



100% success rate when used properly...

btw, GREAT avatar!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Drift Motion @ Jun 11 2006, 10:24 PM) [snapback]269812[/snapback]</div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Drift Motion @ Jun 11 2006, 10:24 PM) [snapback]269812[/snapback]</div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Drift Motion @ Jun 11 2006, 10:24 PM) [snapback]269812[/snapback]</div>

 

hi drift read your message and all i can say is. i have had chevy blazers/cadillac eldorados/geo metros/even had a vette years back. and did reasearch on this car called prius last fall and on feb 8th this year i got mine .white pkg#8.did a few things like had glass tinted,body side mouldings added/mud guards added/had 3m put clear coat on entire front end/had it undercoated/ plus dealer also did enviromental pkg on it. i fell in love with this car. i've only had it since feb 8 th but its a very good car .made real well and i cant say nothing negative at all. have never had it in deep snow yet but i'm sure it should do o.k.? your dad is probably a very smart man and i'm sure he'll do what is the right thing in the final decision. til then take care and i hope this helped a little.. see ya pete

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Godiva @ Jun 12 2006, 02:00 AM) [snapback]269854[/snapback]</div>

Are you shitting me? It's a RAV4, they get like 28 mpg. It's convenient as hell to be able to fit large things in your vehicle, I and many others are willing to pay a few extra dollars for gas to have that convenience. This elitist, "you can't buy an SUV because I don't think you haul enough shit to justify it" crap is annoying as all hell. You aren't paying for the gas, if he wants to compromise it's his decision.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Drift Motion @ Jun 12 2006, 11:39 PM) [snapback]270345[/snapback]</div>

Looking at getting my fiancee a Rav4, its by far the best SUV for the money/mileage....V6 all the way. LOTS of power and good mileage for a SUV. Better than my 4 banger focus(20mpg)..

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SLH350 @ Jun 12 2006, 07:33 PM) [snapback]270306[/snapback]</div>

Like hell I'm not. This isn't the place to argue it, but if you think that you're paying at the pump all the costs associated with gasoline, then it is time to wake up and smell the benzene.... which also brings up the point that *buying* the gasoline also isn't the only thing the effects ALL of us.

I do agree that we should all be free to choose the vehicle that suits our needs the best. You'll get no argument from me there. I just think we should all be paying the *actual* price for our decisions. And currently, we most definitely are NOT.

We all live down-wind.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Drift Motion @ Jun 11 2006, 08:24 PM) [snapback]269812[/snapback]</div>

It comes down to is he happy with the Prius. If he is, why not? The '06 is a bit different than the '05 was. Looks like you have no fear in customizing it, so you can make it radically different if you chose to.

Here's a few talking points that I can see:
1. Gas isn't going down. Civic hybrid still gets less milage, although tuned a bit more for performance. There was an article (from canada or australia I think) posted on here comparing the civic vs. prius and they liked the prius more.

2. Dealing with one guy/place. Presumably you'll be purchasing the second prius from where you bought the first one, or at least having them both serviced at the same place. One dealer to deal with instead of 2.

3. Your 20K limit puts you in the lowest package for your Prius, but with a bit more you can upgrade it to more of a luxury car (it's not anywhere near the lexus hybrid, but you can still make it less basic).

4. With the exception of the civic hybrid, you don't get any incentives that may be available. Remember, the Prius has that $3150 tax credit for him if he can get it before September 30'th. In California we also get to drive in the HOV lanes, which will probably be expiring soon too - there may be other incentives in your area. Basically, if you don't get the hybrid now, and particularly the Prius, it would cost more later if you wanted it.

5. Ultimately it comes down to what you are going to use it for on a daily basis. If you haul alot than maybe the RAV4 makes more sense. If you are using it for school, work, etc. than it would seem that the Prius is a better choice. Only you can decide that, although from your posts it looks like you are more on the comute side than the hauling side.